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2004 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

860 reports with mileage · 212 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 681 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports21 fire reports34 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

681 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Cars acceleration causes me to be unable to pick up speed it decelerates up hills small or latg ramps cats constantly fly pass to avoid a multi car pile up it’s very dangerous!

NHTSA ODI #11702052

71,000 miles · Sep 5, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assist…

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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #11685324

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ODI #11605711

120,000 miles · Aug 5, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET FORT PIERCE (4200 S. US HWY 1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF

NHTSA ODI #11343496

145,436 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

WELL THE CODE WAS TELLING ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT ONE IS RATHER LOOSE AND DOESN'T TURN OFF ALL THE WAY WITH OUT A LITTLE EXTRA WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS LEANING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF NOWHERE. AND THESE ALL HAPPEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING. NOT S…

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WELL THE CODE WAS TELLING ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT ONE IS RATHER LOOSE AND DOESN'T TURN OFF ALL THE WAY WITH OUT A LITTLE EXTRA WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS LEANING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF NOWHERE. AND THESE ALL HAPPEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING. NOT SO BAD ON THE HIGHWAY BUT CITY STREETS ARE HELL

NHTSA ODI #11301728

179,583 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA 3.8L WITH APPROX 179,000 MILEW.MY COMPLAINT IS IN RELATION TO THE PASSLOCK III SYSTEM AND THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF "NO START" COMPLAINTS FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF GM CAR OWNERS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THIS FAULTY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I LIVE RIGHT SMACK IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH IN A VERY SMALL TOWN…

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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA 3.8L WITH APPROX 179,000 MILEW.MY COMPLAINT IS IN RELATION TO THE PASSLOCK III SYSTEM AND THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF "NO START" COMPLAINTS FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF GM CAR OWNERS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THIS FAULTY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I LIVE RIGHT SMACK IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH IN A VERY SMALL TOWN IN TENNESSEE AND KEEP IN MIND, IT IS REALLY HOT AND HUMIDITY IS RIDICULOUS THIS TIME OF YEAR. I PICKED UP MY DAUGHTER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AFTER WORK, ABOUT 5:25 PM LAST THURDAY, 9/5/19, AND MY CAR DIED AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LIKE THE ENGINE JUS SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON AT ALL , I HAD FILLED MY TANK A FEW DAYS PRIOR AND KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO PUT IN NEUTRAL BEFORE LOSING MUCH SPEED AND TRIED TO CRANK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HITTING MY FLASHERS BECAUSE THERE WERE A FEW CARS BEHIND ME ON A 2 LANE ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE SHOULDER ROOM TO PULL OVER OFF ROAD. I POPPED THE GOOD TO SEE IF I COULD SEE OR MAYBE EVEN SMELL ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I'M MAKING SURE MY BATTERY CABLES AREN'T LOOSE, NO FLUIDS LEAKING OR SPEWING AND LUCKILY A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING THRU AND STOPPED TO SEE IF I NEEDED HELP AND TURNED HIS LIGHTS ON SO TRAFFIC WOULD KNOW THERE WERE PROBLEMS AND COULD SLOWLY GO AROUND. TO MY SURPRISE, AFTER EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED, HE SAID HE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH HIS DAUGHTERS CAR, 2002 IMPALA, AND TOLD ME TO TRY THE 10 MINUTE RESET PROCEDURE AND SURE ENOUGH, AFTER THAT 10 MINUTE RESET, SHE FIRED RIGHT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, HOME HAD HE NOT COME ALONG AND ALREADY KNOWN BOUT THIS FAULTY SYSTEM PRIOR, MY DAUGHTER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK FOR SOME TIME ON THE SIDE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE EARLY SEPTEMBER HUMIDITY MOST LIKELY WAITING FOR A TOW. UPON RESEARCHING AFTER, FOUND GM ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT, BEEN NEGLECTED LONG ENOUGH! THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11254508

143,000 miles · Sep 25, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

POWER STEERING HARD AND TRYING TO RUN HIIT CHANGED WATER PUMP.

NHTSA ODI #11131140

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR ALMOST AN HOUR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH POSITION WOULD BE TURNED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR ALMOST AN HOUR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH POSITION WOULD BE TURNED OR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FELDMAN CHEVROLET OF NOVI, 42355 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI, 48375) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY PAD WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11025043

168,000 miles · Aug 23, 2017
Electrical System

I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CAR. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I WERE TOLD IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL #14V400000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. THEY HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE PLACE TO BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL…

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I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CAR. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I WERE TOLD IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL #14V400000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. THEY HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE PLACE TO BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES OF THE WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. A KEY WAS MADE UNDER THE RECALL AND THE IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER WAS NOT REPLACED. I PAID THE BILL AND HAD IT TOWED BACK. THE MAN THAT DELIVERED IT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OR TURN. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARGES AND THEY NEEDED TO CHANGE THE IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER. THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN A PERSON WENT TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE STARTED. I FEEL THIS WHOLE RECALL WAS HANDLED IMPROPERLY AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARGES. THE FRUSTRATION OF HOW IT WAS HANDLED I FEEL THEY NEEDED TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT THE WAY THEY HANDLED THIS RECALL BEFORE THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE PLACE AND THEN MAKE ME RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARGES OF WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND TOWING VEHICLE BACK NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11019047

140,000 miles · Aug 2, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE IGNITION KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET OF CARROLLTON, TEXAS LOCATED AT 1735 SOUTH INTERSTATE 35 EAST CARROLLTON, TEXAS, 75006. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE IGNITION KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET OF CARROLLTON, TEXAS LOCATED AT 1735 SOUTH INTERSTATE 35 EAST CARROLLTON, TEXAS, 75006. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11012443

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 26, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 6, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

04V287000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Jun 23, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.